Will Abeid Come Good In Chilly Jockoland?

05 February 2013 06:33

Mehdi Abeid says he is out to prove a point at St Johnstone, despite failing to impress in the Toon set up.

Frozen out of the picture at Newcastle, the 20-year-old revealed he decided to swap St James’ Park for Saints following a recommendation from reserve team manager and former Scotland international Willie Donachie.

He was thrown in at the deep end against St Mirren in Saturday’s 2-0 Scottish Cup defeat.

Magpies’ team-mate Hatem Ben Arfa says we should watch out for the midfielder, but his first half disaster performance in the FA Cup tie at Brighton left Alan Pardew with little option but to replace him at half-time.

Despite what he does in training, he has a lot to prove in matches.

The Premiership - at the moment - is too much for the kid, but Scotland could prove the making of him.

Mehdi Abeid: “It was a rush in the last 24 hours of the transfer window but I am happy to be here and hope to play a lot of football for St Johnstone.

“I don’t know much about St Johnstone but my U21 manager Willie Donachie told me it is a good club and it will be good experience for me.

“He said it is better for me to play games in Scotland than sit on the bench at Newcastle. So I have taken his advice.”